By Meryl White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Western and Central Africa

N’Djamena, Chad – In eastern Chad, rebels are advancing towards the capital, N’Djamena, after seizing the central town of Bartha. In response, armed forces are attempting to intercept 300 vehicles that are heading towards the capital. Moreover, security forces have increased dramatically and children have been told to stay home from school. Also, the French embassy has closed a French school in the city.

The rebels are attempting to overthrow the President from power. In 2006, the rebels were able to reach the capital but they were repelled by government forces.

In the upcoming weeks, the European Union peace force is preparing to deploy troops to eastern Chad. 3,7000 peacekeepers will protect refugees from Sudan’s Darfur region and people displaced by the internal conflict.

Mahmat Hassan Boulmaye, a spokesman for the rebel group, the Union of Forces for Democracy (UFDD), has told the BBC that “Our troops are at 200km from N’Djamena. So far there hasn’t been any clash with government forces, but this may happen soon, as the army has been sent to meet our troops. So it may well happen in the near future.”

Makaila Nguebla, an exiled rebel spokesman, told VOA new “that the rebels are not afraid of Chad’s army, and he predicts rebel fighters will make it to the capital.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – Chad rebels ‘heading for capital’ – 30 January 2008

VOA – Chad Army Sets Up Positions to Block New Rebel Offensive – 31 January 2008

IC Publications – UN chief alarmed by Sudan-Chad tension – 31 January 2008